Animal rescue groups are worried that the success of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may doom real turtles to a sad and uncertain future.

East Bay SPCA President Allison Lindquist is urging parents to learn about turtle and tortoise care before heading to a pet store. Like any animal, turtles have special needs and require a lifetime commitment.

“Owning a pet takes planning, equipment, food and commitment,” Lindquist says. “Sadly, many people do little research before acquiring a pet and don’t understand and commit to the responsibilities of life-time ownership. We fear this movie will drive interest in acquiring pet turtles and tortoises.”

Reptiles require very specific habitats, food and supplements in order to stay healthy, Lindquist says. The appropriate setup for a turtle or tortoise is costly and as the animal grows, its space needs to be up-sized accordingly. Many reptiles can live for decades and in the case of tortoises, may outlive their owners.

Lindquist further warns: “It is important to be aware that unscrupulous turtle and tortoise dealers can illegally obtain and sell their animals and may sell animals with compromised health. Some species on the market are actually illegal in California because they can be a threat to our local species. Animals transported illegally may be sick or carry parasites or bacteria like Salmonella.”

If you want a turtle or a tortoise, great. Just make sure to do your research first.